I am very proud of my Southern roots. The food, culture, spiritual practices, weather, plant life, climate- each of these things are un|expected inspirations to my work. Un|expectedly, as I am continuing the development of my sound-textile-installation work [Project #497 (or John Henry and the Patchwork Penitentiaries)], I stumbled upon a monograph of Clyde Connell. I am currently couch surfing and my hosts (Artists Nyeema Morgan + Mike Cloud) have a wonderful collection of art books. There is no rhyme or reason to the selection of this particular book, as I had never heard the artist, but I do have an affection for the name 'Clyde' and I love that old time tradition of giving women, boy names. In fact, if I have a daughter, Elimethy (my father's middle name) is sure to be on her birth certificate somewhere- but that's another story... In either case, this happy coincidence (clever, clever Universe) is a wonderful find.
How she creates connections between the place of her birth and life (the Deep South), the acknowledgment of her own privilege, and how these circumstances of time, and place can be used as tools to illustrate universality is something I strive to achieve.
I am sure I'll be finished reading it by tomorrow, but allow a few quotes:
"I think people try to limit God. To me, God's presence comes though nature, through thinking, reasoning, and relationships."
"Susan was moaning as we walked. I can't even remember her face, but I remember those sounds and her mourning. I knew he was sad by her singing and chanting. Those sounds are where I want my art to come from."
Get it, Mz. Clyde...
http://clydeconnell.blogspot.com/
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